News

With the arrival of winter weather and ensuing shift from fieldwork, the Territorial Planning Unit has been hard at work developing innovative strategies to improve aquatic invasive species prevention efforts in the territory come spring. Grand Council Treaty #3 is pleased to announce the launch of new watercraft decontamination stations to be implemented in Treaty #3 Territory over the next three years. These new stations, set to be deployed at high traffic boat launches first in Kenora, then in the Dryden and Fort Frances areas, will support ongoing efforts to protect Treaty #3 lakes and rivers from the spread of aquatic invasive species.

Treaty #3 waters are facing threats from aquatic invasive species, which are damaging habitats, reducing biodiversity, and harming human infrastructure. Invasive plants such as Flowering Rush and European Frog-bit can clog waterways, diminish water quality, and harm culturally significant species such as Manoomin (Wild Rice), while invasive organisms such as Zebra Mussels and Spiny Waterfleas have been known to damage infrastructure and impact water-based activities including fishing. By providing convenient and effective decontamination stations, Grand Council Treaty #3 is empowering boaters to take proactive measures to prevent the spread of these harmful hitchhikers.

“As citizens, we have a shared responsibility to protect the earth. Many invasive species enter our territories through our waterways, lands and carried through the air.” shares Lyle Morrisseau, a citizen of Sagkeeng Anicinabe Nation. Highlighting the importance of preventative measures and their necessity for maintaining balance, he continues “We must be vigilant and aware of our surroundings to notice the changes of the life we depend upon. The disruption of our ecosystems by invasive species can be, and must be, taken seriously. The impacts on all species will eventually be experienced.”

Funded through Department of Fisheries and Oceans Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention Fund and inspired by the Clean Drain Dry campaign, the decontamination stations feature state-of-the-art equipment that will be operated by trained attendants to ensure thorough inspections and boat decontaminations are carried out. They also feature design work that echoes the creations of Anishinaabekwe artist Danielle Morrison for the Nibi Declaration, to uplift the importance of protecting and caring for Nibi (water). The first of these three stations will be set up in the Kenora region this upcoming spring.

Grand Council Treaty #3 encourages all boaters to use the decontamination stations to prevent the spread of invasive aquatic species across the territory. Other funded work that Grand Council Treaty #3 is taking on with respect to environmental monitoring includes Zebra Mussel early detection monitoring, the creation of a Treaty #3 Aquatic Invasive Species information booklet, and in spring 2025, the establishment of long-term water quality monitoring stations. You can learn more about the potential threat of invasive species to Treaty #3 and the efforts to understand them by exploring the Invasive Species Centre’s online resource library and Manitoba’s recent Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention and Response Plan.

-30-

For more information, please contact: Chris Herc, Environmental Manager at chris.herc@treaty3.ca

PDF – December 20, 2024 – Grand Council Treaty #3 Launches New Watercraft Decontamination Stations